Joshua Fowler
Principal, Lost Mountain Middle School
What are your main job responsibilities?
I believe my main responsibility is to create a safe environment where teachers are given appropriate support to put the best instruction possible in front of our students each day. Obviously, there are several responsibilities that go along with this: daily operations, personnel development, building and maintaining community relationships, and continuously evaluating data to find room for improvement, just to name a few.
Why did you want to be principal?
When I received notice that I was to be named the new principal of Lost Mountain Middle School (LMMS), I could not have been happier! Nearly half of my 24-year career has been spent at Lost Mountain. It felt like I was coming back home. This community has always been special to me because of their involvement, generosity and commitment to the success of our students. In addition to an already strong staff, I feel extremely lucky to be here.
What is your background?
I was named principal of LMMS in April of this year. I taught in Michigan for four years before I moved to Georgia in 2003. I was hired by Cobb County and taught at Palmer Middle and LMMS. I took an assistant principal position in 2017 at Durham Middle before transitioning to principal at LMMS. I have a bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University (Michigan), a master’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a specialist’s degree from the University of West Georgia.
What do you like about being an educator?
Very simple: the kids. The growth, both physically and mentally, that students make during their short three years here with us at the middle school level is unmatched. I appreciate that I still have a great ability to have a broad impact on the lives of our students. Students at LMMS will notice that I am very visible and will show up in their classrooms on a regular basis to stay active in their learning and middle school experience.
What has been the biggest job surprise?
My biggest surprise is that I have spent all 24 years of my career in a middle school. I took an opportunity to teach in my first middle school because it was close to my house, but I didn’t think middle school was where I wanted to be. After my first two years in a middle school, I knew this is exactly where I was meant to be. If you ask my wife, she’ll probably tell you I never really left middle school.
What excites you most about LMMS’s future?
I’m excited to see how we can help and inspire our students to achieve their goals. Our community, staff and students already give us a strong foundation in getting this accomplished. As a staff, we have several innovative ideas for the future that can provide our students with more opportunities to find success in whatever they choose to pursue.
What are your goals?
Professionally, I have already accomplished my biggest goal, which was to become principal of a school. I now have a goal to never stop learning. I have registered for several seminars and trainings and cannot wait to further develop my knowledge to help our school be the best school. Personally, I have a goal to visit each of the Major League Baseball stadiums. I am currently at 12 and plan on visiting four new ones this summer.
Tell us about your family and hobbies.
I have been married to my wife, Mary, for 17 years. We have two daughters, Riley, 15, and Reese, 12, who both attend Cobb County schools. Chewie is our dog. Yes, that’s short for Chewbacca. We love to be active outside and camp regularly. I also enjoy fishing, hunting, watching any kind of sports, playing cornhole and a good nap.
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